220 Youth from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints reenact pioneer handcart trek

On June 26, approximately 220 youths ages 14 to 18 from the Bothell and Woodinville area gathered to reenact a bit of their history. The youth leaders from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints planned for a three-day experience that would help youths better understand the hardships that the early pioneers went through.

Youths were divided into "families." All their belongings were loaded onto handcarts for the "trek." The youths then pulled or pushed the handcarts for many miles over the three-day period. All of the food was prepared by the "families" and was similar to what the pioneers would have eaten.

This activity was a part of the church's 150th anniversary of the historic Mormon pioneer trek from the Midwest to the Great Salt Lake Valley. LuAnn Baxter, a youth leader, said, "Our hope in planning for the TREK was to have the youth come away from the experience with a deep gratitude for the legacy of faith and sacrifice that was made by our pioneer ancestors. Based on the feedback from the youth, we believe this was achieved, and more."